Pfalzgrafenstein

My Image of Pfalzgrafenstein on Imagekind

Pfalzgrafenstein is a toll castle on Falkenau Island (Pfalz Island) near Kaub. Commonly known as "Pfalz", this former stronghold is famous for its picturesque and unique setting. Its pentagonal keep was erected in 1326/27 by Ludwig the Bavarian. A hexagonal wall was built between 1338 and 1340. Corner turrets, the gun bastion and a baroque tower cap were built between 1607 and 1755. Pfalz served as a toll tower for ships that were stopped by a chain across the Rhine. The dungeon was a wooden float in the well. It held only twenty men, but was never conquered or destroyed.

The castle island was crossed by sixty thousand Prussian troops in pursuit of Napoleon in 1814. Pfalz was assumed by Prussia in 1866. Toll collections ceased in 1867, but Pfalz remained a signal station for another century. In 1946, Pfalz became property of the State of Rheinland-Pfalz, and was turned into a museum. It was restored to its Baroque colour scheme, and reflects a fourteenth century lifestyle.

A legend associated with Pfalz states that, although Emperor Friedrich Barbarossa and Duke Henry the Lion of Brunswick were cousins, they were bitter enemies. At Burg Stahleck, Count Palatine, Konrad, was loyal to the Emperor. Konrad wished to find a husband for his daughter, Agnes. Since Konrad had no male heir, his son-in-law, who would inherit, needed to be a very special man. But Agnes loved Henry, the son of Henry the Lion. Konrad’s wife backed Agnes. Konrad imprisoned both women in the tower at Pfalz Island. One moonlit night, Henry rowed to the tower. He and Agnes agreed to marry in secret, which they did several days later. After nine months, Konrad’s wife called for Konrad to come to Pfalz Island where he discovered that Henry was his son-in-law, and that he had a grandson. Konrad told Emperor Friedrich, and the emperor was pleased for the union which might help him to reconcile with Henry the Lion. Friedrich became the child’s godfather. Most of the legend is fanciful, but it is true that Agnes married Henry the Lion’s son.

Another legend relates that Palatine Prince Hermann suspected his wife, Guba, of infidelity, and jailed her at Pfalz. The governor of Pfalz, Count von Roth, believed her innocent, and the countess became Guba’s friend. Guba was childless; thus, her brother-in-law, Ludwig, was heir. Ludwig thwarted attempts at reconciliation between Hermann and Guba. Ludwig complained about the leniency shown Guba, and mistreated Guba during his visits to Pfalz. But Guba became more cheerful than ever, and stated she would soon be reconciled to her husband. She announced her pregnancy, and that the child belonged to Hermann. Von Roth and his countess doubted the parentage. Guba delivered a boy, but Von Roth sent the child away. Guba was sad, but von Roth said that the child was well-housed across the Rhine. He told Guba to watch for a white flag each day that would signal that the boy thrived. She spotted the flag every day for many years. Hermann died, and Ludwig became Count Palatine. He was challenged by a young man who claimed to be Hermann’s son. He was indeed the son of Hermann and Guba who had been raised across the Rhine near Pfalz. When he came to free his mother, she begged to end her days in freedom at Pfalz.